Words of the Week 01

Whenever I read, I keep a pencil handy and I underline words that I don’t know and dog ear the page so that I can go back and look them up in the dictionary. I have always been interested in etymology and even took Latin for three years. I hope that these words can help all of us in our writings. Be sure to check out your dictionary for additional usages of the words and spellings associated with changing the word from adjective to adverb to noun … etc.

ABLUTIONnoun

Pronounced: ab-LOO-shun

Meaning: The washing of one’s body or part of it as a religious rite.

Example: A common example of ablution in Judaism is washing the hands before a meal that includes bread.

* * * * *

CLANDESTINEadjective

Pronounced: clan-DES-tin

Meaning: Marked by, held in, or conducted with secrecy or concealment.

Example: Mike and Sally made clandestine plans for their mother’s surprise birthday party.

* * * * *

INDOCTRINATEverb

Pronounced: in-DOC-trin-ate

Meaning: To give instructions especially in fundamentals or rudiments.

Example: Special classes were designed to indoctrinate new employees.

* * * * *

MALEDICTIONnoun

Pronounced: mal-a-DIC-shun

Meaning: Curse.

Example: The villain’s last words were a malediction on the entire royal family.

* * * * *

OLFACTORYadjective

Pronounced: ole-FAC-tory

Meaning: Of, relating to, or connected with the sense of smell.

Example: Humans have relatively weak olfactory abilities compared to many other animals.